Parasites

Get rid of those pesky critters.

Your pet is an easy target for parasites and small insects. Common parasites like ticks, fleas and heartworm-carrying mosquitos feed on your pets, potentially infecting them with many dangerous diseases. Discover how these tiny pests can cause big problems.

Fleas

These bloodsucking insects feed on mammals and lay eggs in their fur. Fleas can transmit harmful parasites like Tapeworms and Bubonic Plague, as well as cause dermatitis and anemia. One flea can lay up to 50 eggs in one day, making a flea infestation a substantial threat to your pet’s wellbeing. Flea infestations often spread throughout your home — living in your carpet and furniture and making them tough to eradicate.

Ticks

The most common tick in the Phoenix area is the Brown Dog Tick. They favor vertical surfaces such as fences, walls, and also will attach to shrubbery. It is one of just a few tick species that lives exclusively on the dog and also can propagate indoors. One adult engorged female tick can lay approx 2000 eggs so control can be difficult. The brown dog tick transmits Ehrlicia Canis which is a rickettsial organism similar to Rocky Mountain Spotted fever. It is a treatable disease but our goal is prevention.

Although rare, animal-to-human transfer is possible, making the tick hazardous to you and your family. Special care should be made to inspect your pet frequently.

Heartworm

Heartworm-carrying mosquitos represent a lethal danger to your pet. The mosquito’s bite transmits the heartworm larva to your animal, it then slowly develops over many months and makes its toward the heart. Once there it multiples within your pet’s pulmonary artery and right ventricle, leading to constricted blood flow, heart and lung disease and major organ failure. There have been estimates of approximately 600 dogs/year acquire heartworm disease here in the metro area. This is a very easy disease to prevent however treatment is difficult.

Parasite Prevention Plan

Regular use of anti-parasitic medication is a surefire way of keeping your pet free of nasty parasites. Consult with your Animal Care Hospital veterinarian to determine the best parasite control products for your pet.

About Animal Care Hospital

Welcome to Animal Care Hospital, your local veterinarians in Phoenix, AZ. We’re pleased to provide a wide variety of small animal veterinary services for pets in the greater Phoenix area. We are a member hospital of the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association).